…Winter Storm to affect Central and Southern Minnesota and Western Wisconsin Sunday night into Monday…

.A strong storm system will bring an area of moderate to heavy snow across a portion of southern through east central Minnesota into western Wisconsin Sunday night, spreading east through Monday. Snowfall totals of 6 to 10 inches are possible by the time the storm exits the region Monday evening. At this point, the heaviest snow will fall south of a line from Redwood Falls through the Twin Cities toward St Croix Falls and Rice Lake. Other areas that may see heavy snow include Fairmont, Mankato, River Falls and Eau Claire.

A wintry mix with a period of freezing rain is possible in far southern Minnesota near the Iowa border, then toward Eau Claire, leading to slick roads. In addition, northeast winds between 20 to 35 mph will cause blowing and drifting snow and whiteout conditions at times, especially in open country. Winds will begin diminishing Monday night.

Remember, this is still a Winter Storm watch, and the track of the heaviest snow may change. Be prepared for difficult driving conditions if you have travel plans across central or southern Minnesota and western and northern Wisconsin.

…WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM LATE SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY EVENING…

* WHAT…Heavy mixed precipitation possible. Plan on difficult travel conditions, including during the evening commute on Monday. Total snow accumulations of 6 to 10 inches and ice accumulations of a light glaze are possible.

* WHERE…Portions of northwest and west central Wisconsin and central, east central, south central and southeast Minnesota.

* WHEN…From late Sunday night through Monday evening.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…Winds gusting as high as 35 mph will cause patchy blowing and drifting snow.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A Winter Storm Watch means there is potential for significant snow, sleet or ice accumulations that may impact travel. Continue to monitor the latest forecasts.

And now, details of the southeastern Minnesota portion of the watch, which begins Sunday evening and runs through Monday evening:

.Motorists should anticipate impacts to travel Sunday evening into Monday evening as snow or an icy wintry mix spreads across the area. Snow accumulations of 6 inches or more are possible, along with icing up to 2/10 of an inch.

The exact track of the storm is still in question. If the track changes, where the band of heaviest snow falls and where the threat for the greatest icing lies will change with it.

Stay up-to-date on the latest forecasts as the details of snow amounts and icing potential become clearer.

* WHAT…Heavy mixed precipitation possible. Plan on difficult travel conditions, including during the morning commute on Monday. Total snow and sleet accumulations of 6 inches or more, and ice accumulations of up to two tenths of an inch are possible.

* WHAT…Heavy mixed precipitation possible. Plan on difficult travel conditions, including during the morning commute on Monday. Total snow accumulations of 7 to 10 inches, with localized amounts up to 12 inches, and ice accumulations of around one tenth are possible.

* WHERE…Portions of central, south central, southwest and west central Minnesota.

* WHEN…From Sunday evening through Monday evening.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…Winds gusting as high as 35 mph will cause patchy blowing and drifting snow, and whiteout conditions at times.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A Winter Storm Watch means there is potential for significant snow, sleet or ice accumulations that may impact travel. Continue to monitor the latest forecasts.

A summary of the storm potential:

NWS Twin Cities

The forecast models

Computer models continue to show a low pressure system over the Oklahoma panhandle Sunday morning.

From there it moves northeastward, arriving in southern Wisconsin Monday afternoon.

It will spread moisture over much of the upper Midwest late Sunday into Monday.

Here’s the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Global Forecast System (GFS) model for Sunday through Monday night: